The Oakland Athletics tapped a Sony Corp. executive to fill an opening in the team's sales and marketing department.

The baseball club said Jim Leahey will become vice president of sales and marketing on December 12. Leahey replaces David Alioto, who had been with the club for 15 years. Alioto this year became executive vice president of business operations for Earthquakes Soccer LLC, which is controlled by several members of the A's ownership group.

Leahey will oversee all areas of the A's sales and marketing efforts, including advertising, ticket sales, corporate partnerships, merchandise and luxury suites. Before joining the A's, Leahey spent 14 years with Sony Corp., rising to vice president.